Saturday racing suggestions: Leopardstown, Newbury & Leicester 28 Dec

Our Saturday racing tips are siding with two leading Cheltenham Festival contenders amidst the high-calibre vacation season playing cards

The festive interval has not disappointed thus far after an exciting performance by Clan Des Obeaux to defend his crown within the King George VI Chase, while it was great to see Faugheen again to his best at Limerick.

There are five Grade One races over the weekend throughout the UK and Ireland. Our main choice is a robust contender for the Cheltenham Gold Cup, while we think a novice hurdler will be in a position to efficiently take the step up to the best stage.

Odds appropriate on the time of publishing and are subject to change

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Kemboy can defend crown in Savills Chase

Kemboy had only one blip on his document last season when he unseated David Mullins at the first fence of the Cheltenham Gold Cup. His 4 victories included success within the Savills Chase at Leopardstown.

Willie Mullins’ runner will make his seasonal reappearance in the Grade One contest (Leopardstown 3:10 Saturday) in Ireland this year, where he is the one to beat as he bids to report back-to-back wins.

The seven-year-old will more than likely return to Cheltenham in March, the place his connections shall be hoping he can make up for his error at the opening obstacle in 2019. Before then, he has the opportunity to mop up no less than one Grade One contest.

Kemboy has proved to be the most constant chaser in this division over the past 18 months.

He recovered from his defeat at Cheltenham to finish final season in style, with wins coming within the Online Casino Bowl Chase at Aintree and the Punchestown Gold Cup, the latter beating Cheltenham Gold Cup winner Al Boum Photo.

This 3m contest consists of former RSA Chase winner Presenting Percy and likewise Road To Respect, who lately claimed the Ladbrokes Champion Chase at Down Royal.

However, Kemboy needs to be favoured and must be taken at 13/8 within the betting within the feature race on the card from Leopardstown.

Thyme Hill to reinforce his reputation again

Thyme Hill is 2 from two over hurdles this season and may proceed his unbeaten report in the marketing campaign with victory within the Grade One Online Casino Challow Novices’ Hurdle (Newbury three:00 Saturday).

Phillip Hobbs’ hurdler began the season with success in the Grade Two Unibet Persian War Novices’ Hurdle at Chepstow.

He added to his tally only a month later when he came out on high at Cheltenham in the Grade Two Ballymore Novices’ Hurdle, justifying going because the 11/8 favorite.

This shall be Thyme Hill’s first try at Grade One level over hurdles and the gelding ought to have the flexibility to make the step up at school with none points.

Thyme Hill is 10/1 with Slot Online for the Ballymore Novices’ Hurdle on the Cheltenham Festival and victory here would improve his status, forcing the bookmakers to slash his odds for the race in March.

It is likely we have not even seen one of the best of Hobbs’ runner yet, so take the five-year-old to progress once again with victory right here. He is 11/10 to oblige.

Eureu to hold high weight victory at Leicester

The Leicestershire Silver Fox Handicap Chase is the pick of the motion from a six-race card at Leicester, the place Eureu Du Boulay (Leicester 2:40 Saturday) can concede weight to the the rest of the sector.

The five-year-old already has plenty of experience over fences despite his age. His four runs this yr have all been over hurdles, with victory coming in France at Fontainebleau final outing.

Eureu Du Boulay shot up the weights final season, with back-to-back wins coming at Catterick and Sedgefield. His last run of the marketing campaign was over 3m, where he didn’t quite stay, in order that outing may be ignored.

Richard Hobson’s runner is fully match on his return to fences. This journey is his perfect distance, while the very capable Paul O’Brien will take 3lb off his again, so select him at 9/2 to win from high weight at Leicester.…